Immuno-inflammation dans l’athérosclérose

Unité mixte de recherche Inserm U-939, UPMC « Dyslipidémie, Inflammation et Athérosclérose », Pavillon Benjamin Delessert, 1er étage, Hôpital de la Pitié, 83, boulevard de l’hôpital, 75 651 Paris Cedex 13, France

^* philippe.lesnik@upmc.fr

Abstract

A fundamental feature of atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammation of the arterial intima characterised by the accumulation of low-density lipoproteins and cells undergoing apoptosis. Such material can be subject to modifications if not efficiently cleared. For example, the LDL can become oxidised or the apoptotic cells necrotic, both of which are highly immunogenic and inflammatory. These modified, endogenous structures can generate an auto-immune or “sterile inflammation” response and are the targets of both innate and adaptive immunity. Therefore, one can refer to atherosclerosis, in part, as an auto-immune disease